What should you look for in a TV/ film makeup course?

Did you read my previous post? Huh? Did ya? Did ya?

When you sign up for a TV and film makeup class/ course you should expect to learn at least:

❊ Hi-def makeup. This is an absolute MUST, most movies/ TV shows/ commercials are now shot on digital cameras and in high definition. Talk about seeing one’s pores!

❊ Injury simulation. You’ll look at your injured friends with different eyes from now on.

❊ Facial hair grooming, laying, and applying ventilated pieces. You will be caught staring at men.

❊ Old age makeup. And now you’ll start looking at your elders differently…

❊ Character makeup. Think Game of Thrones, Wrinkle in Time.

❊ Period makeup. History lessons are my favorite!

❊ And much, much more.

The second thing on your list to do after signing up for a course, is to practice, practice, practice and then practice some more. Hello makeup counter! There are a TON of people willing to sit on your chair and model for you when you’re doing it for free. This, by the way, should be THE ONLY time you’re doing anyone’s makeup for free outside a movie set.

Find an array of different shapes and shades of faces to practice on. Practice everything you learn in school at least on 10 different faces. Once you’ve finished your school, and practiced on 10,000 faces, call me. You think I’m kidding with that number? I’m not.

Unfortunately school, practicing, and working in retail is only a very small fraction of what you need to learn. You can only learn what production means by working on a production. Another hamster wheel from hell? Not necessarily.

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